Jim Porter Sweet Toothed Tea Olive – 7 Gallon Pot (3-4′)

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An exceptionally attractive plant that will delight both the eyes and the nose, the ‘Jim Porter’ Sweet Toothed Tea Olive, an Osmanthus armatus, was found as a chance seedling by the late Jim Porter of South Carolina. In fall, it produces the same highly fragrant clusters of tiny white flowers as other tea olives but it’s the deeply toothed, 4″ long narrow leaves, which shine as though they’ve been waxed, that captures attention year round from all visitors to our gardens. A moderate grower to 12 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, the form is columnar when young developing a narrow pyramidal form with age. A very beautiful and easy-to-grow, low-maintenance evergreen that deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow, USDA Zones 7a to 9b.

With and upright pyramidal columnar form to 12 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide at the base (depending on pruning), the Jim Porter Tea Olive is ideal for use and will hold its own as a focal point specimen in small to mid size landscapes. Also excellent to frame corners of homes and entryways. Excellent near patios, porches, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the attractive foliage and fragrant flowers can be enjoyed from up close. Also nice as a centerpiece in containers that can be decorated around the Christmas Holidays. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, Asian gardens and Xeriscape gardens (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing:  10 feet or more apart for space between plants

The Jim Porter Sweet Toothed Tea Olive is very easy to grow in most  moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. We suggest at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day or all-day lightly filtered sun for best flowering. As with many other plants, a constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. Exceptionally drought tolerant when established. We’ve seen no insect or disease problems and deer won’t touch it.